Christmas season is almost at an end, and our decorations will be coming down soon. How quickly it has flown and here we are, once again, looking towards Septuagesima and the following season…Lent!
In the older tradition Christmas lasts until Candlemas, or the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of the Lord, which isn’t until February 2nd. This marks the end of a long 40-day “Christmastide” that corresponded to the 40 days of Lent.
“The Feast of the Purification of Mary is the oldest Marian feast day, dating to at least the fifth century. It also marks the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, and the encounter with, and prophecies of, Simeon and Anna (see Luke 2:22-40).” -Catholic Company
The ebb and flow of the Liturgical season keeps us grounded. Life makes sense, doesn’t it, when we live our lives out according to the seasons of the Church? It is very beautiful, very deep and very…..ancient. Our lives are intertwined with the Church Militant of centuries before us. They are our family and support us, as now the Church Triumphant, with their prayers.
Before this season ends I wanted to share the last trimmings of the Festive Season with you….with pictures!
First…
My daughters and daughter-in-law have funny stories they share with us about their children. It’s a hoot to hear what goes on inside those little minds or how they express themselves. Here is a couple I’ve saved lately:
From Jeanette (mom):
Agnes says to me, “How come you look like a mom?”
I laughed and said, “Why? Do I look tired?
Agnes replied, “Yes, you look tired.”
I laughed and said, “Well, I’m mom and I’m very tired!” 😀
I was brushing Agnes’ hair and she said, “Ouch! You hurted my brains!” 😀
From Z (mom):
So Jake says “Hey, Mom, I have a great idea for our tea party this afternoon, we can play King and Queen, I’ll be the King, Grace can be the Queen and you…uhhh…who are those people that get things for kings and queens”
“Servants? Maids?”
“Oh yeah…you can be the maid!” 😛
Gallery:
Click on the first picture…don’t forget to read the caption.
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- This is our Spiritual Christmas Crib…all done. We used some coloring page clipart and the girls drew some of it.
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- Here is Theresa’s Christmas Crib.
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- Here is Gin’s. some of the boys had their own that they worked on.
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- Right after Christmas last year, I had Virginia make me these ear warmer/head bands for the girls. I bought them off her and tucked them away! Good thing, because she would not have the time now….she is the Apron Queen! 🙂
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- Christmas Daughters!
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- Theresa’s Nativity Scene with the Baby Jesus finally making His entrance after Midnight Mass.
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- Devin and Theresa’s family opening the crafty things Grandma got for them…Christmas morning.
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- Adrian thought Baby Jesus needed a little warm-up!
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- Jeanette had the neighbor lady and her children over for a Tea Party!
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- A new puzzle!
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- Hanging up!
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- Lovely! The puzzle is called “Grandma’s Shed”.
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- Tea!…Tastes so much better in a lovely heart-shaped teacup!
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- Angelo’s Christmas contraption…
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- Angelo enjoyed playing Axis and Allies with friends.
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- Theresa’s lovely cream-cheese, raisin, walnut filled Tea Ring…ready for the oven!
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- Family Pow-Pow.
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- Juliette and Magdalene.
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- Toes! Juliette and Zaelie.
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- Theresa’s new apron for her birthday!i
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- She told Devin she didn’t want one of Gin’s…too pretty to use is what she said. Devin ignored her and got one anyway! She looks pleased, don’t you think?
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- Grandpa basking in Avila’s attentions!
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- Grandpa’s well-earned reading corner after a hard day’s work.
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- Margy is painting a picture for Theresa’s birthday.
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- Dad makes the frame.
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- Hannah was not able to play any of the sports last season because of a shoulder injury. She wasn’t looking forward to surgery but glad to get it done.
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- She will be wearing this for 6 weeks and by midsummer she will be able to play volleyball again. Lot of physical therapy in between!
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- Vin and Gin
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- Gin has popcorn bowls and sparkling apple cider cups ready for movie night!
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- Gin’s home activities
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- Tree skirts make great capes!
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- A very nice neighbor gave these toys to the kids.
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- Even Vin is into puzzles!
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- Do not heed this death-defying pose. It is Juliette, after all.
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- Hehe…she just loves scaring Mommy with her fearlessness.
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- She prays for protection each morning. 🙂
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- Our good friend, Dave. Always there to be relied upon. He is the brother of my son-in-law…and still single, gals! 😉
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- Playing cribbage with one of the girls and drinking Verve is one of his favorite things to do!
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- Uncle Dave…
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- Here is Dave’s brother, Mike , with our daughter, Jeanette and their little family. They are expecting their third.
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- Mike owns his own painting company and my husband and two sons work for him. They are a fantastic team!
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- This has been the winter project for our guys when the weather has slowed things down as far as work goes….
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- Mike and Jeanette’s beautiful house in the making!
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- Good times with the priests!
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- Father Kodet loves to play his concertina…we enjoy it very much!
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- A little ice fishing in Kansas?
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- Got one!
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- Look at the size of that bass!
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- Dom and Sarah….
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- …their little one, Rita!
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- Margy seals all the rosaries that are made for Legion of Mary by cutting and burning the ends of the string.
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- How can you tell this was close to Epiphany? Games and fun!
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- Speed Scrabble..
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- Snapping game…
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- Ending with some photos of the beautiful nuns in Massachusetts…..
….It’s the most wonderful time of the year!……. 😉
You really know how to live a true authentic Catholic life. Wish I had known this before I raised my kids. Now it almost feels too late. Maybe if God blesses me with grandchildren…
Thanks so much for the lesson on Candlemas. I’ve noticed a couple of homes in our area with their trees still up, I wonder if they celebrate Candlemas! As for Juliette, it reminds me when I was young, I had stitches on my toe from climbing up the refrigerator and a hole in my tongue from climbing up the cupboard! My daughter would be perfect for Mike – She’s 23, finishing up her teaching degree. Attended Franciscan University at Steubenville for 2 years and is now at home commuting to Edinboro University by our home. April Brown Erie, PA he can look her up on facebook. Lent will be here before you know it. God Bless.
Sorry, I meant my daughter would be perfect for Dave – where did I get Mike??
Haha Mike is his brother, the one married to my daughter. I knew what you meant. 😊
Your family is blessed!
Love all the pictures!
Love the aprons….!
What an inspiration your family is. Wow. I live in one of the most unchurched states in the country. Just getting people to church is a miracle. You are truly blessed.
Thank you for these pictures, especially the children make me smile and how you occupy them with good things. I didnt grow up in that kind of family, but there is always hope and God turns everything for good because He is the best Father one can have… 💙 🙂